Christmas Massacre

About

Christmas Massacre is a single player arcade action adventure game with a horror theme. It was developed by Puppet Combo and was released on December 17, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"Christmas Massacre" is an 80's inspired stealth slasher game featuring low-poly, PS1-style graphics. As Larry, you must sneak and murder while wearing different masks and costumes, all while avoiding detection. With a fast-forward button and arcade-style stealth, the game is drenched in gore and offers both first and third-person camera models. Can you trust what the Christmas tree is telling you?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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91%

Audience ScoreBased on 866 reviews

gameplay20 positive mentions

stability22 negative mentions

The game offers a unique experience of playing as the killer, which is a refreshing change from typical horror games.
The VHS/PS1 aesthetic and dark humor create a fun and engaging atmosphere that resonates with fans of retro horror.
Despite its short length, the game is entertaining and provides replay value through unlockable costumes and achievements.

The gameplay can be frustrating due to janky controls and inconsistent hitboxes, making it difficult to execute kills effectively.
Levels can feel repetitive, lacking diversity in environments and objectives, which may lead to boredom over time.
The game is quite short, and some players feel it doesn't justify its price, suggesting it should be cheaper.

gameplay
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
64%
12%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its simplicity and mechanical issues, such as frustrating hitboxes and a lack of depth. While some appreciate the arcade-like feel and satisfying elements, others find it repetitive and lacking in unique features, leading to a quick sense of boredom. Overall, the game offers a janky but potentially enjoyable experience for those willing to invest time in mastering its mechanics, particularly within the horror stealth genre.
- “The gameplay takes a little practice to get the hang of, but luckily there's a training level to teach you how to do everything.”
- “The gameplay is also quite solid and the violence is appropriate, cutting people's limbs and heads off.”
- “Atmosphere, music, gameplay - everything is on point!”
- “Larry has no substance, and the gameplay is so simple that it wears out its welcome on the first level.”
- “The gameplay gets boring pretty quickly and there is absolutely nothing unique about this game.”
- “Hitboxes are wonky and there aren't too many features to make gameplay stimulating.”
graphics
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
64%
4%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic PS1 and VHS aesthetic, which effectively creates a creepy and immersive atmosphere that resonates well with horror themes. Players appreciate the retro art style and the variety of graphical options available, although some feel that the low-fi visuals can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the unique aesthetic is praised for enhancing the game's dark narrative and gameplay, making it a standout in the indie horror genre.
- “The devs really nailed the PS1 aesthetic and vibe.”
- “Puppet Combo knows how to make simple horror games from a graphical and gameplay standpoint, but they are masters at creating atmosphere and dark, twisted, immersive worlds with their undeniably eerie and unique retro look that I honestly didn’t think I would like so much initially.”
- “The atmosphere is well-made, the PS1 graphics give a wonderful vibe and there are a lot of settings to play with.”
- “The game uses its lo-fi aesthetic to decent effect, with a plethora of filters to choose from.”
- “Like other PC games, Christmas Massacre uses low-poly assets and has deliberately dated graphics to make it feel like you're playing the video game equivalent of a cheap exploitation movie from the 80s.”
- “As a matter of fact, I'd argue the lo-fi aesthetics help salvage what little taste there is; a late level in particular is extremely uncomfortable for reasons I won't get into, but the dated nature of its look means it doesn't come across as flat out gross as it could have.”
story
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
64%
4%
The story of the game is a dark and twisted narrative centered around Larry, a troubled orphan who, influenced by a voice from a Christmas tree, embarks on a violent killing spree against those he deems "naughty." While the plot is engaging and unfolds in a straightforward manner, many players noted its brevity and occasional repetitiveness in missions, leaving them wanting more depth and exploration of Larry's backstory. Overall, the combination of a unique premise, unsettling atmosphere, and a mix of horror and dark humor contributes to a compelling, albeit short, storytelling experience.
- “The story itself is very tight-knit and very easy to understand, and I think it was written perfectly to fit the length of the game.”
- “20 years later after the first Christmas massacre, Larry is at it again when his Christmas tree tells him to kill all the naughty people, so you travel through several levels, can collect secret items for some replay value, and you get to experience the story of a hurt man neglected by society.”
- “Christmas Massacre is a fun and challenging game with a fantastically psychotic plot that will leave you wanting more.”
- “Even putting aside the hollowness of the game's story and the pettiness of the violence on offer, the violence just isn't very good.”
- “The plot is presented to you in a very barebones way; Larry is a mistreated kid in a Catholic boarding school. One day, the head mother pushes him too far by refusing him entry to the Christmas party, so naturally, a voice in his head tells him to kill them all.”
- “The game is short and the story is very thin, but the art style and the great sound direction are really making this experience something unique.”
humor
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as darkly funny and absurd, blending horror elements with comedic twists that keep players entertained. Users highlight the quirky characters, such as a friendly tree and a trippy Santa, alongside over-the-top gore and ridiculous achievements, creating a unique experience that is both hilarious and engaging. Despite its gruesome themes, the game is noted for its lighthearted approach, making it enjoyable for both kids and adults.
- “Gruesome, horrifying, darkly funny, obviously not a game to be taken seriously - it's hilarious showing the 'today: [you] unlocked 'gottem: kill all the school children'' achievement.”
- “A trippy Santa slasher with over-the-top gore and humor that'll put a smile on your face.”
- “The game revolves around helping Santa and his elves save Christmas from a series of hilarious and harmless misadventures.”
music
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
37%
8%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its chilling and atmospheric qualities, while others feel it sometimes clashes with the game's intended tone. Some users highlight the soundtrack as one of the best aspects, noting its ability to evoke unease and enhance the gameplay experience, despite concerns about copyright issues on platforms like YouTube. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a strong point, though some players desire a more cohesive and creepy atmosphere.
- “It's filled with bright, colorful graphics and cheerful holiday music that instantly puts you in a festive mood.”
- “I will also say that the soundtrack is some of the best pieces of music I have ever heard.”
- “Atmosphere, music, gameplay - everything is on point!”
- “The soundtrack leaves me feeling uneasy.”
- “This game can be very disturbing and eerie, especially the music.”
- “I wanted it to be more of a creepy atmosphere, but the music that plays feels like it belongs in a different game.”
atmosphere
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
50%
9%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, twisted, and immersive qualities, enhanced by retro PS1 graphics and VHS-style visuals. Reviewers highlight the effective blend of horror elements reminiscent of classic films and games, creating a uniquely eerie experience that captures the essence of a Christmas-themed killing spree. While some feel the soundtrack could better match the creepy vibe, the overall ambiance is considered a standout feature that elevates the gameplay.
- “Puppet Combo knows how to make simple horror games from a graphical and gameplay standpoint, but they are masters at creating atmosphere and dark, twisted, immersive worlds with their undeniably eerie and unique retro look that I honestly didn’t think I would like so much initially.”
- “Puppet Combo will always be my favorite indie dev forever because he continues to deliver very well-made games with the perfect atmosphere that many horror games don't have.”
- “Its a good concept and I really like the soundtrack and atmosphere the game gives off, but it feels rushed out somewhat.”
- “I wanted it to be more of a creepy atmosphere, but the music that plays feels like it belongs in a different game.”
- “The atmosphere between levels is thoroughly unnerving, and even though the story is thin, it still feels like you've witnessed something you shouldn't have by the end.”
stability
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is described as having several bugs and glitches, which can occasionally disrupt gameplay, such as characters running through walls or falling through the floor. However, many players still find it enjoyable and fun, noting that the minor issues do not significantly detract from the overall experience. Overall, while stability is a concern, it does not overshadow the game's appeal.
- “Buggy nightmare”
- “Would've been 90% better if Larry was fireproof because the last bit with the school was way too tedious and crazy buggy (Larry died in the blue end screen once or twice lol).”
- “Pretty buggy... I can't complete a level because this one girl keeps running through walls.”
replayability
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
35%
15%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the variety of approaches to levels and the incentive to achieve higher scores and unlock costumes, others feel that its short length limits overall replay value. Updates have improved playability, but the consensus suggests that while there are enjoyable elements that encourage replay, the game could benefit from more content to enhance this aspect.
- “The amount of ways you can approach the places with people to kill is what makes this game fun and replayable.”
- “A really fun horror game, very different due to actually playing as the killer rather than a victim, with many funny little additions. It's very replayable with different sorts of costumes and getting the best scores!”
- “It's not very long, but costume unlockables, collectible dolls, and the incentive to replay levels to get a higher score gives it great replay value.”
- “It is a very short game with not much replay value.”
- “20 years later after the first Christmas massacre, Larry is at it again when his Christmas tree tells him to kill all the naughty people, so you travel through several levels, can collect secret items for some replay value, and you get to experience the story of a hurt man neglected by society.”
- “[h1]replay value[/h1]”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be slow and tedious, particularly in the final school segment, which is marred by bugs and a lack of engaging gameplay. The fun gimmick is overshadowed by repetitive tasks, leading to a frustrating experience with minimal tension.
- “Slow, tedious, the gimmick is fun but all the victims do is run, thus there's no tension.”
- “Would've been 90% better if Larry was fireproof because the last bit with the school was way too tedious and crazy buggy (Larry died in the blue end screen once or twice lol).”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is consistently described as wholesome, making it an ideal choice for gifting, particularly for younger audiences during the holiday season. Its emotional appeal lies in its family-friendly content and heartwarming themes.
- “The most wholesome Christmas game ever.”
- “Wholesome game, perfect gift for your little cousins.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players appreciate the satisfying mechanics of the game, but many note that it heavily emphasizes performance, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “The killings feel good, but soon enough you realize that it's a game about performance.”